Jets may be forced to take draft risk following disastrous Dante Moore performance

Despite the season being over, many could argue that the New York Jets' biggest game of the season was played on Friday night. It was a battle between two top quarterback prospects, Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, in the College Football Playoff Semifinal.

Unfortunately, in typical Jets fashion, the game and Dante Moore's performance did not go as planned. What was projected to be a shootout between the two top quarterback prospects quickly turned into a one-sided affair.

While Mendoza cruised by completing 85% of his passes for 177 yards and five touchdowns, Moore struggled immensely. The Oregon quarterback finished the game, completing just 61.5% of his passes while coughing up three turnovers, including an interception on the first play from scrimmage.

The hope for Jets fans and the organization going into this game was that both quarterbacks would impress in a competitive bout. Instead, Moore's struggles remove any realistic possibility of Mendoza falling to the Jets at two, and questions surrounding Moore's future remain.

Following a poor performance like that on a national stage, the possibility of Moore returning to school for another year is very much still in play. If this is the case, the Jets could be forced to take a major draft risk when April rolls around.

Jets could be forced to target Trinidad Chambliss in the 2026 NFL Draft

Entering the 2025 college football season, the hype around the 2026 quarterback class was at its highest point. Following the 2025 NFL Draft, which saw only two quarterbacks selected in the first round, the 2026 draft seemed destined to deliver a strong class.

While it is still possible that the Jets and other quarterback-needy teams find their long-term answers at the position in April, the options have quickly dwindled, especially in round one.

With Fernando Mendoza all but a lock to be the first player called in Pittsburgh and questions surrounding Dante Moore's future, the door now opens for the Jets to target other prospects. One of the hottest names is Trinidad Chambliss, who is quickly rising up draft boards.

Chambliss started his collegiate career at the Division II level, where he played four seasons with Ferris State. Chambliss won two National Championships with Ferris State in 2022 and 2024, before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2025 season.

To say Chambliss fit right in at the Division I level would be an understatement. This season, the 23-year-old completed 66.1% of his passes for 3,937 yards, 22 touchdowns to just three interceptions, and an 86.5 QBR. He finished third in the nation and led the SEC in yards while finishing fifth in the nation in QBR.

What has really put Chambliss on the map, though, is his performance in the College Football Playoff. No Lane Kiffin, no problem. The Grand Rapids native completed 67.8% of his passes for 921 yards and four touchdowns while throwing no interceptions in Ole Miss' three playoff games.

His most impressive performance during their playoff run, which ended on Thursday against Miami, was in Ole Miss' upset win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, where Chambliss threw for 362 yards and two touchdowns.

All signs pointed towards Chambliss returning for his sixth year in college and second with Ole Miss. However, after the NCAA denied his eligibility waiver, it seems that Chambliss is headed to the draft.

The Jets drafting Chambliss at two isn't something fans should expect, but the possibility of taking him in the later part of round one or early round two has to be in play.

Simply put, though, Chambliss is a big unknown and would need a lot of grooming and learning to do upon his arrival in Florham Park. His arm strength and accuracy are impressive, but his pre-snap recognition and lack of Division I experience are all real concerns.

Expect the Jets to add potentially two veteran quarterbacks this offseason and bring in an experienced offensive coach to the staff to put a rookie quarterback in the best situation. If Chambliss is the pick, the Jets will have a lot of work to do developing the Ole Miss product.